Samsung Galaxy S II variant for AT&T images leak out

We have been waiting for quite a while to see some of the US variants of the Samsung Galaxy S II, and earlier this week we saw an un-named slider leak out, and it appears as though that was the AT&T version. BGR has some leaked images of the AT&T version of the Samsung Galaxy S II, which has a slide out keyboard, for better or for worse. It is still yet to be seen whether it will release with a different name, or they will keep the Galaxy S II name, but earlier reports are showing that the devices are set to launch in the US sometime in August, which is right around the corner. So, did the keyboard kill it for you, or are you still interested? Let us know!

Motorola Droid 3 review

Verizon and Motorola might have launched the Droid 3 with little fanfare, but we'll have none of that here, folks. We present you with the third installment of the phone that nearly single-handedly put Android on the worldwide smartphone map.

So what's new with this guy? We've got a larger screen, a dual-core processor and a revamped keyboard, for starters. Plus it's loaded with Android 2.3.4 and has a new version of Motorola's shall-not-be-called-Blur user interface.

It's a mix of the familiar and the new. And it's broken down in full Android Central review fashion after the break.

Verizon's LTE version of the Galaxy Tab 10.1 officially avaliable July 28

We actually dropped this date on you a few days ago, but Verizon's gone and made it official -- the LTE version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 will be available July 28 online and in stores. It'll run $529 for the 16GB version, or $629 for the 32GB version. Verizon's press release says it'll be available in metallic gray (see our hands-on with that version) or glossy white (our leak made it look like the white version wouldn't be available in stores), and it'll include a $25 Samsung Media Hub credit.

Data plans are as follow:

$30 monthly access for 2GB monthly allowance

$50 monthly access for 5GB monthly allowance

$80 monthly access for 10GB monthly allowance

Or, if you want, you can get the 16GB gray Galaxy Tab 10.1 as a wifi-only device.

Motorola Xoom price dips below £400 in the UK

Perhaps anticipating the UK launch of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 next Thursday, British retailers have slowly begun lowering the price of the original Honeycomb tablet, the Motorola Xoom. Amazon UK is leading the charge, selling the Wifi-only version for a mere £394.95 ($650), which is within a fiver of the Tab 10.1's UK launch price.

Not quite as affordable as the $499 you'll pay for the same hardware over in the US, but it's a step in the right direction from the Xoom's astronomical European launch price. Would you consider a Motorola Xoom over the Tab 10.1 at this price point? Let us know in the comments.

Xperia X10 Gingerbread update could be imminent

The wait is almost over, long-suffering Xperia X10 owners. According to a recent post on Sony Ericsson's official Facebook page, your update from the dark depths of Android 2.1 Eclair all the way up to 2.3.3 Gingerbread could be with you even earlier than the expected "August" release window. Here's the scoop --

The launch of the 2.3 software for X10 is getting closer, and the planned release date is approx. w30. The date could still be changed, since the launch is depending on operators approval. The software will be rolled out continuously, just like the earlier 2.1 release. The exact launch date is depending on market and operators approval, so it will unfortunately not be possible to give precise information on launch dates for each market/operator. You will get more information once the roll out has started.

"W30" refers to week 30 of 2011, which just happens to be the this week. So it looks like the update could land any day now. X10 owners can look forward to "Facebook Inside Xperia" functionality, alongside other bundled apps from the X10's successor, the Gingerbread-powered Xperia Arc. If you'd like to check out the new software in action, head on over to last month's video update. Source: Sony Ericsson on Facebook

The update rolling out today for the Samsung Nexus S 4G is a mix of good and bad it seems. Hopefully fixing some of the radio and connectivity woes more than a few are seeing with Sprint's first Googlephone, the latest OTA will also end the free tethering that Nexus S 4G owners have been enjoying. We've heard some rumblings of this across the web, but a confidential source from Sprint has confirmed with a bit of internal communication that the GRJ90 update does indeed stop tethering for those who have not opted in for the hotspot plan. This move shouldn't really surprise anyone, and those determined will easily find one of many work arounds, but it looks like "officially free tethering" is done for the Nexus S 4G. We've reached out to Sprint for confirmation, we'll update if they have anything to tell us. A screen shot of the communication is after the break.

Nexus S 4G OTA ready to flash for rooted users

Ready to update your Samsung Nexus S 4G to GRJ90, but don't want to roll back and lose root? No problem -- Shabbypenguin has you covered with a ClockworkMod flashable version, all ready to go. It's pre-rooted (of course), deodexed, and has busybox tossed in, but other than that it's the stock system clean and shiny just like you would have had you accepted the OTA. Of course, there's that small matter of native tethering being broken to consider, but it looks like the easy way to go. Hit the source link for more info and downloads, and be sure to thank Shabby!

Android Quick App: VGB

When I was a little kid, man, was I ever glued to my Game Boy Color. Two AA batteries and a copy of Pokémon kept me entertained for hours years on end, so when emulators came to Android, I was excited. Then those emulators got pulled and disappeared and I was sad for myself, but when I saw that new emulators were afoot, I had to pull the trigger and see how they stacked up.

VGB is your Game Boy/GBPocket/GBColor Renaissance man, and while it's not perfect, it mostly gets the job done. I tested three ROMs with VGB, and while two came out with no issues, it was the first (and my favorite!) that proved to me VGB has some explainin' to do.

As you'll notice in the video, Pokémon Blue loads fine. There doesn't seem to be any skipping, and the audio is all good. The first bit of stuttering comes in when Oak starts flappin' his yap about all the stuff people do with their Poké-friends, and then we really hit a wall when your character gets tiny-sized.

Simply, the colors are all out of whack. If you're watching, you know what I'm talking about. He's half-normal, half-white. In fact, all the people are. The first time I ran this ROM, everyone was totally black. Different issue, but still an issue. Couple that with the terrible stuttering of just walking around something as simple as your bedroom, and gameplay stops becoming fun pretty quickly.

What VGB seems to handle well, however, are actual Game Boy Color games. Both Pokémon Trading Card Game and whatever Dragonball Z title I picked play without issue. Colors are there, sounds are clear, and there are no performance issues.

Actual performance aside, VGB could work a bit on its interface. Instead of a true, on-screen virtual D-pad with buttons, you're treated to grid lines that make up rectangles that are supposed to be your buttons. Technically, it all functions correctly, it's just unsightly and not as natural as seeing a more accurate representation of Game Boy buttons.

You get the standard save state slots to save and restore to, as well as a nifty "More" menu that nets you a few more options than the average bear, like changing your hardware model, recording music, or cheating. The true settings menu isn't anything to write home about, except for maybe the "tilt joystick" function, which lets you tilt your phone to use as a joystick. I didn't see gamepad support anywhere, which is kind of disappointing.

Overall, VGB is kind of a so-so entry into the emulator market. Game Boy Color games play with ease, but having Game Boy games not quite stack up limits your playable library, and that's no good. For $1.99, if you're only looking to play Game Boy Color games, have at it. However, if you're looking to tap that beautiful, old-school Game Boy library, I'd suggest you look elsewhere.

According to this screenshot, T-Mobile retail locations will be receiving SD cards pre-loaded with the files to update the MyTouch 4G and T-Mobile G2 to Gingerbread, as well as updating the MyTouch 3G Slide to the latest Froyo version. Coming August 1, techs in the stores will be able to assist customers who have difficulty understanding or completing the OTA update process, which is a great way to help the less tech-inclined folks that still love the freedom and customization that Android offers.

Bionic retail, Atrix Gingerbread [From the Forums]

We're ramping up for a another busy week here on Android Central, we've got a few goodies tucked away that will be unleashed later this week. You will of course have to stick around to find out what they are but in the meantime -- feel free to stroll on through the Android Central forums and start some new threads.

Early CyanogenMod builds snapped on HTC Sensation and LG Optimus 3D

What's this we have here? Popular custom ROM CyanogenMod 7.1 running on the HTC Sensation (aka Pyramid) and LG Optimus 3D (aka Thrill 4G)? The tantalizing screenshots above were recently posted on Google+ by CM developers Ricardo Cerquiera and Ed Carrigan. According to both coders, the CyanogenMod 7.1 ports for both phones are still in the early stages of development, so don't expect to be flashing official builds anytime soon.

If you are a Sidekick 4G owner who has been experiencing some bugs on your device, you will be happy to know that an OTA update has begun rolling out to fix some of these for you. While the update does not boost the device to Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) it is stated to bring a slew of bug fixes for the device, and that is always welcomed. The update began on July 21, and should be trickling out to all users, so be sure to check for updates on your device, and if you have already updated, be sure to let us know how it is working out for you!

Android Quick App: Yelp

Chances are, most of you have heard of (and probably used) Yelp. Whether it's been their initial online presence, their myriad phone apps, or just a friend raving about it, Yelp is the top dog in finding delicious eateries on-the-go.

Opening up the Android app, you'll notice six large, friendly looking icons to choose from. Nearby, Check-Ins, About Me, Bookmarks, Monocle, and Deals. A few of those are pretty self-explanatory, and one of them you just need to see to believe.

Nearby is going to use your cell phone's location (rough or precise, up to you) to show you a list of everything around you. It doesn't discriminate by style or genre, so if you're just curious to see what's delish, this is definitely the way to go. Check-Ins is Yelp's version of Foursqaure/Gowalla/Places/Latitude. You can check-in to bars, restaurants and what-have-you, but I'm not sure why. Yes, you can become mayor or king or top dog or iron chef (not really, on the last one), but maybe there's coupons involved.

Speaking of coupons, Deals is just that. If you want to know where you can save a buck, get something for free, or see what other promotions are going on, click on Deals and know you'll be saving some greenbacks.

About Me and Bookmarks both require that you have a Yelp account, and if you do, they'll prompt you to log in. This allows you to check-in and leave reviews (and ensures you get credit to your Yelp account, for what it's worth) and also lets you view your list of Bookmarks if you've got a hankering for one of your favorite places that you've conveniently forgotten the address of.

The thing that really does it for me (although it's usefulness is debatable) is Monocle. Monocle pulls you into an augmented reality environment, where, as you move your camera around, restaurants and such pop up on your screen, along with their rating, distance, and cost. I couldn't get a good screenshot without some wicked tearing, so just check it out for yourself.

There's also the standard search bar at the top of the page, and you choose to search a name or style either based on current location, but also anything else, like a city or a zip code. It's the simplest way, but it's how things got started and it still works.

So, if you like both 1.) food and 2.) saving money, Yelp should definitely be installed on your device. It's free, it's quick, and it's easy, plus, it's proven.

Swype featured in Museum of Modern Art exhibit

We're big fans of Swype here at Android Central, and judging by its latest exhibit, so is the Museum of Modern Art. It's included the trace-based Android keyboard in a new interactive exhibit called "Talk to Me", which reflects on recent innovations in communications technology.

Congrats to the Swype team. Be sure to hit the source link to check out the online display for Swype.

Chrome out your HTC Sensation, let it shine bright

Not a huge fan of the subdued look of the HTC Sensation? Wish that it stood out a bit more, and was more eye catching? So did the folks at Whitesites Blog, and so they took sand paper and metal polish to the device to give it an all-new chromed-out look, as you'll see above. You'll also find full instructions on their site if you'd like to trick out your Sensation in the same way. It involves a little time and elbow grease, but the results are worth it, if you're a fan of shiny things.

Let us know in the comments if you're planning on chroming out your Sensation, or if you've tried your hand at any cosmetic modding in the past.